How Often Do the Safest Drivers Have Accidents?

Last Updated on February 5, 2026

Safe drivers crash less—but nobody can drive “risk-free.” You can control your habits, but you can’t control weather, road design, or what the other driver is doing.

A more accurate way to answer “how often” is to look at claim frequency (how many claims happen per 100 insured vehicle-years). Industrywide data shows collision claims are relatively uncommon in any single year, but they’re not rare over a long driving lifetime.

Industry Benchmarks Beat Guesswork: National claim-frequency data shows collision claims are uncommon in a single year, but meaningful over a lifetime of driving.
Claims and Accidents Aren’t the Same: Not every crash becomes a claim, and many claims (hail, theft, glass) can happen without a “driving mistake.”
Safe Drivers Still Face Shared-Road Risk: Speeding, alcohol impairment, and distraction by other drivers can turn into not-at-fault losses you can’t fully control.
Your Exposure Is a Big Lever: Mileage, driving times, and where you park can change risk as much as pure driving skill.

Table Of Contents

Collision Claims Are Uncommon, But Not Rare
Accident Vs. Claim: Why the Difference Matters
Why Even the Safest Drivers Still Have Accidents
What Insurers Mean by “Safe Driver”
How to Estimate Your Personal Odds (Without Guessing)
Ways Safe Drivers Lower Risk (and Reduce Claims)
Bottom Line
FAQs on Safe Drivers and Accident Frequency

Collision Claims Are Uncommon, But Not Rare

For drivers who carry collision coverage, industry claim frequency is typically in the single digits per 100 insured vehicle-years. For example, ISO/Verisk data published by the Insurance Information Institute shows a collision claim frequency of 4.16 claims per 100 earned car-years in 2024 (about 4 claims per 100 insured vehicles per year). That works out to roughly one collision claim per ~24 insured vehicle-years on average.

That’s a population average—not a promise about your personal driving future. A “safest driver” profile (low mileage, low-risk driving times, fewer violations, strong defensive habits) can reduce odds of an at-fault crash, but it can’t eliminate not-at-fault losses.

If you’ve seen the “once every 18 years” estimate floating around, treat it as a rough rule-of-thumb that depends heavily on the dataset and the year. For a deeper explanation of how odds are commonly calculated, see our breakdown: car accident odds.

Collision Claim Frequency Benchmarks

Benchmark	What It Measures	Claim Frequency	How To Read It
ISO/Verisk paid-claims data (2024)	Collision coverage claims per 100 earned car-years (commonly shown with a $500 deductible; certain state exclusions)	4.16	~4 out of 100 collision policyholders file a collision claim in a year (≈ 1 claim per ~24 insured vehicle-years on average)
HLDI (recent model years)	Collision claim frequency for recent passenger vehicles (claims per 100 insured vehicle-years)	Varies by vehicle type; around the mid-single digits in the most recent tables	Newer vehicles, driving environments, and repair costs can shift both frequency and total loss impact

Important: “Claim frequency” is not the same thing as “your personal probability.” It’s an average rate across millions of policies—some drivers have multiple claims, while many have none.

Accident Vs. Claim: Why the Difference Matters

People often say “accident” when they really mean “insurance claim.” But the two don’t always match:

You can have a minor accident and not file a claim (pay out of pocket, no damage, no coverage involved).
You can file a claim without a “crash” (hail damage, windshield chip, theft, animal strikes—often comprehensive).
You can be a safe driver and still have a claim because the other driver was speeding, impaired, or distracted.

Common Claim Types At a Glance

Claim Type	Typical Coverage That Applies	Example	Why It Matters for “Safe Drivers”
At-fault crash damage to your car	Collision	You rear-end someone in stop-and-go traffic	Driving behavior is a bigger factor; safe habits can reduce risk
Not-at-fault damage to your car	Other driver’s liability (or your collision as backup)	You’re hit while stopped at a red light	You can do everything right and still get hit
Weather, theft, animal, glass	Comprehensive	Hail dents your hood; deer strike; theft	Less tied to driving skill; more tied to location, season, and exposure
Damage you cause to others	Property damage liability	You clip a parked car	Can affect premiums strongly, especially if paid losses are high
Injuries to others	Bodily injury liability	Passengers in the other car are injured	High severity potential; underwriting and rate impact can be significant

Quick tip: Before filing a small claim, compare the repair cost to your deductible and consider the long-term impact of a claim on underwriting and renewal pricing. Rules and practices vary by insurer and state.

Why Even the Safest Drivers Still Have Accidents

A “safe driver” can still end up in a crash because the road system is shared. National crash data consistently points to a few big contributors:

Speeding: NHTSA reports speeding was a contributing factor in 29% of traffic fatalities in 2023. (NHTSA speeding data)
Alcohol impairment: Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities represented about 30% of all traffic fatalities in 2023. (NHTSA drunk driving data)
Distraction: NHTSA reports 3,275 people were killed in distraction-affected crashes in 2023. (NHTSA distracted driving data)
Overall roadway risk: NHTSA’s early estimate for 2024 was 39,345 traffic fatalities (down from 2023, but still elevated compared with pre-pandemic years). (NHTSA 2024 estimate)

Bottom line: safe driving reduces your odds, but it can’t fully protect you from other people’s decisions—or from non-driving losses like hail or theft.

What Insurers Mean by “Safe Driver”

Insurers don’t just look at “how careful you feel.” Underwriting and pricing are based on measurable risk signals like claims history, violations, usage patterns, and where and when the car is driven.

Risk Signal Insurers Use	Why It Matters	What a “Safer” Profile Looks Like
Claims history (frequency and severity)	Past claims can predict future loss, even if the next event is not at-fault	Few or no recent claims; no patterns of repeat losses
Moving violations and at-fault accidents	Tickets and at-fault crashes are strong predictors in many rating plans	Clean MVR; no major violations; consistent defensive driving
Annual mileage and driving times	More exposure generally means more opportunities for crashes	Lower mileage; less night/weekend driving when possible
Age and driving experience	Risk varies by life stage and experience; underwriting reflects this	Rates often stabilize after early driving years (see: rates at age 25) and can change later in life (see: rates at age 70)
Vehicle, trim, and repair economics	Some vehicles cost more to repair or are stolen more often	Strong safety ratings; affordable parts; advanced crash-avoidance features
Location (garaging ZIP, traffic density, weather)	Local crash and theft patterns influence expected loss	Lower-traffic areas; secure parking; lower theft frequency regions
Telematics/usage-based driving data (optional)	Some programs measure braking, acceleration, speed patterns, and time of day	Consistent smooth driving; limited high-risk time periods
Gender (where allowed)	Some insurers may use it if state law permits; others prohibit it	Rules vary widely; for example, California prohibits gender in private passenger auto rating (CA DOI). More context: gender and auto insurance rates

How to Estimate Your Personal Odds (Without Guessing)

You don’t need a perfect model—just a realistic framework:

Start with a benchmark: Look at broad claim frequency data (collision and comprehensive).
Adjust for exposure: More miles, more night driving, and dense traffic generally increase risk.
Separate at-fault vs. not-at-fault: You can influence the first more than the second.
Remember coverage choices: Higher deductibles can reduce small collision claims (though they don’t reduce accidents).

Quick tip: If you rarely drive, tell your insurer—many companies price based on usage tiers, and “low mileage” can materially change your risk class.

Ways Safe Drivers Lower Risk (and Reduce Claims)

Safe driving is mostly about reducing exposure and preventing the most common mistakes. If you want a practical checklist, start with these safe driving tips.

Wear your seat belt every trip—short drives count, too. (Why seat belts matter)
Drive defensively: keep space, scan ahead, and assume other drivers may make sudden moves.
Manage distractions: set navigation and music before you move; put the phone away.
Avoid high-risk conditions when possible: late-night weekends, severe weather, and high-congestion routes.
Document incidents well: photos, witness info, and a clear timeline can prevent claim delays and disputes.

Bottom Line

The “safest drivers” don’t have a universal accident interval. But national claim data shows that collision claims typically happen to only a small share of insured drivers in any given year—while still being common enough over decades that most long-term drivers should plan for at least one significant incident.

Insurance and driving rules vary by state and carrier. For pricing and coverage decisions, review your policy language and your state’s insurance department guidance.

FAQs on Safe Drivers and Accident Frequency

Do “safe drivers” actually have accidents, or just fewer claims?

Safe drivers can still be in accidents—especially not-at-fault crashes. Many minor accidents never become insurance claims, while some claims (like hail or theft) can happen without any crash at all.

What’s the difference between a collision claim and a comprehensive claim?

Collision generally covers damage to your vehicle from a crash (with another vehicle or object) regardless of fault, subject to your deductible. Comprehensive generally covers non-collision losses like theft, vandalism, glass, hail, or animal strikes, also subject to a deductible.

Can a not-at-fault accident raise my car insurance rates?

Sometimes. Many insurers consider overall claims activity during underwriting and renewal, even if you weren’t at fault. However, state rules and company practices vary, and some states restrict certain types of surcharges.

Should I file a claim for a small fender bender?

It depends on the damage amount, your deductible, whether anyone is injured, and whether the incident must be reported under your policy or state law. If the repair cost is close to your deductible, paying out of pocket may be worth considering—but never skip reporting requirements.

How long do accidents and claims affect auto insurance?

Most insurers primarily look at the most recent few years of driving and claims history, but the exact time window varies by state, carrier, and the type/severity of the incident. Serious violations and large losses may influence underwriting longer.

Are telematics programs good for safe drivers?

They can be. If you routinely drive smoothly and avoid high-risk times, telematics may help you demonstrate lower risk. But programs vary in what they track and how discounts (or surcharges) work, so review the privacy terms and scoring rules carefully.

What should I do immediately after a crash to protect myself and my claim?

Prioritize safety, call for help if needed, exchange information, document the scene (photos/video), gather witness contacts, and report the loss as required by your policy. Avoid admitting fault at the scene—let insurers and (if applicable) police reports establish liability.